When Nick Herbert unveiled his plans for a ‘new era’ in policing, I thought it sounded like the job I’d been born to do.

The role of the PCC isn’t to run the police. It’s to bring a fresh perspective to policing: to be the voice of the people, forge strong partnerships, commission intelligent, joined-up services that cut crime, and hold the police to account. It’s clear to me this is a job where party politics, a police or police authority background, are inappropriate because impartial objectivity is crucial.

I’m Independent with no links to any party. As the People’s PCC, I will be a passionate, strong voice for safer communities by putting people – not party politics – at the heart of policing.

I have the skills, vision, values and energy to do an outstanding job. I’ve lived in Cheshire for 30 years and spent my life being heavily involved with community activities and issues across the county. My knowledge and love of the county, with its varied communities and needs, combined with my business background of working with public sector bodies in health and education means I have first-hand experience of how collaboration can deliver effective results and value for money.

Should police officers be routinely armed?

The role of the PCC rightly excludes operational matters but in terms of my personal opinion the answer is no. After the tragic shootings of Greater Manchester Police officers Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes, not surprisingly there was a knee jerk reaction calling for all officers to be armed.

The Police do not want this and they are the people best placed to decide this issue.

Cheshire Police has a highly professional Vector firearms unit made up of Authorised Firearms Officers who maintain a high level of physical fitness and are assessed annually both physically and medically. They are also continually assessed throughout the year in all aspects of firearms tactics, shooting skills and judgemental training.

The unit as a whole provides an increase in public confidence by being visible in local neighbourhoods. Following any firearms operations the unit provides community reassurance by posting leaflets in the local area explaining who they are and what they are aiming to achieve.

This shows the local community that the Police are actively targeting known offenders and bringing them to justice.

Do you agree with decriminalisation of drugs?

The role of the PCC doesn’t extend to legislative issues but on a personal level I don’t agree with decriminalising drugs per se because drugs impact on the fabric of our society and our laws exist to protect that fabric of society. Substance misuse is a major contributor to crime, it can blight lives and whole communities and organised crime lies at the heart of the production and supply network.

I don’t agree with personal cannabis use because it’s impossible to obtain legally for a start. I do have a lot of sympathy with some people like MS sufferers who claim cannabis reduces symptoms and I am completely behind research into this (which is already ongoing). There is a wider debate about decriminalising drugs, legalising cannabis for personal use etc. but that’s another issue.

Should householders have greater powers to tackle burglars?

The role of the PCC doesn’t extend to judicial issues but my personal view is that party politicians continue to use the media to fuel the fear of crime, and that the Conservative party’s recent announcement of a third change to the law of self-defence since 2010 really adds nothing to the existing law.

In the 15 years between 1990 and 2005 there were just seven prosecutions of people tackling intruders in their own home.

People can use "reasonable" force to protect themselves or others, or to carry out an arrest or to prevent crime. Householders are protected from prosecution as long as they act "honestly and instinctively" in the heat of the moment. I believe this is sensible and adequate.

What will be your top priority?

The PCC is required to produce the police and crime plan and budget, so my work on this will begin immediately and I intend to set up a network of links across the county to make sure your views are known, heard, reflected and communicated.

Robert Peel said, ‘the public are the police and the police are the public’ and I will be guided by the need to keep Cheshire safe from crime in everything I do and every decision I make.

In practice, I want to really embed neighbourhood policing, combined with high quality community engagement and better local communication (so that people know what’s going on in their own area). The Police have driven crime down to 1990s levels and I will support them to continue that by being focused on measures that mean they can spend most of their time working on cutting crime and bringing criminals to justice.

There isn’t a magic wand: having more money or more officers would not on its own be the answer. The key is how you use the resources that are available and as PCC I’ll ensure intelligent and resourceful commissioning of joined-up services that contribute to cutting crime and the fear of crime.

How do you envisage using the power to commission policing services from the chief constable (or other providers) and what risks do you foresee?

Whenever services of any kind are commissioned, the most important consideration is the anticipated outcome. The main risks are usually associated with poor specification, lack of planning and unintended consequences. In terms of policing services, there is the additional dimension of risking public safety for profit. I will only commission services that represent a genuine benefit in terms of reducing crime and increasing efficiency. Best practice and evidence-based services are vital.

The truly exciting part of the PCC is the ‘and Crime Commissioner’ part of the job title:being able to focus on multi-agency measures that revolve around crime prevention, early intervention, reduced re-offending and restorative justice, as well as services to provide the best possible care for victims and witnesses of crime and exploring greater involvement of young people. We also need to make sure we continue to plan ahead, to keep on top of new crime trends like cyber crimes.

This approach will contribute to maintaining the downward trend we are seeing in terms of crime and boost public confidence, so that people’s fear of crime is more in kilter with the actual level.

What would you hope to achieve in your first 100 days of office?

Well, the PCC has to have produced the Police and Crime Plan and budget within the first 100 days so getting that right will take time and energy. I won’t feel rushed into making announcements immediately, and my first days in office will not be spent behind a desk! I need to start building a strong relationship with the Chief Constable, visit communities across the county and listen to your concerns, review existing services, plans and commitments and have meetings with existing partners and voluntary, community and private organisations, so that my plans reflect your needs.

I will also set two or three major priorities for my first term, connected with services for victims and witnesses of crime and anti-social behaviour.

I want to put in place a proactive communications plan, in order to build confidence, approachability, visibility and accountability into the role of PCC as quickly as possible, and make sure my work is integrated into your community.

And I will be myself! Police and Crime Commissioner is the job title but I promise: I’ll be the People’s PCC.

What electoral promises will you make regarding the fear of crime, which continues to rise despite the reductions in actual crime?

The fact that fear of crime remains high despite reductions in actual crime is a result of many factors, not least of which is that good news is under-reported whilst incidents of crime - especially serious crime – get saturation coverage across the whole country almost instantly. Communication is key and I promise to explore ways to increase public confidence that crime is being tackled, for example by improving the quality and quantity of local level communications and the media we use. I’ll also make sure I regularly visit communities to speak to you, not just make it easy for you to contact me.

All too often these days I feel we settle for mediocrity: mediocre outcomes, mediocre value for money etc. etc. but by challenging the status quo that keeps people fearful about crime in their communities, I expect to boost confidence that we are actually tacking the issues.

Police authorities have been criticised for being invisible. How will you visibly connect with all the diverse communities of your area and bring democratic accountability to life?

One of the great advantages of this new position is that for the first time people will be able to identify with a face and name. The role is completely new and there’s no blueprint!

I think it was the potential of the job that first appealed to me the most. We hear so much guff from the people elected to represent us about the need to be representative, democratic and accountable. Now, for the first time, there’s a role where success will be defined by actually delivering on all these things – and believe me, I want to rebuild your confidence that public service means something. I aim for excellence, and I’ve signed up to the Bell Principles because I think standards and values like selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership are the cornerstone of democratic accountability.

On a personal and professional level I already work on projects and jobs that connect with diverse communities so that’s nothing new for me! I am a people person, which is why Martin Bell describes me as a bundle of Independent-minded energy. I’ll bring the role of PCC to life through collaboration, cooperation and communication – and have regular updates so you know how we’re doing.

How do you propose to address the issue of rural communities where there is a minor police presence?

Although there is a minor police presence in rural communities, rural crime is a very real concern: theft, fly-tipping, vandalism, poaching and other wildlife crimes can blight rural life. Rural crime can be very costly too, for farmers, landowners and rural communities.

As PCC I’d make sure that the importance of rural crime is acknowledged and do my utmost to make sure that the Police have the support they need to tackle rural crime.

Strategies are already in place, such as Rural Watch, but I would want to review them to make sure that they continue to be fit for purpose or need to be strengthened. I will also explore opportunities for working in partnership with organisations and voluntary groups that engage with rural communities, and establish links with parish councils.